Government’s new housing rules: what it means for Auckland
This consultation closed on 9 May 2022. Thank you for having your say.
We sought feedback on the proposed changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan that we have scope to make limited decisions on. We did not seek feedback on the mandatory changes the Government has directed us to make, such as having walkable catchments or six-storey building heights. See the Government’s new housing rules: What it means for Auckland Consultation Document for detailed information.
We received 7,860 pieces of feedback. These came via our online feedback forms, at virtual Have Your Say events and through email.
We also held 4 online and 2 in-person information sessions where members of the public could hear from the planning team and ask questions before providing feedback.
To view a detailed summary of the consultation feedback read the Summary of Feedback Report.
If you have any questions related to this project, please email us at unitaryplan@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
For more information about central government's requirements click here.
What happens next
- All feedback will be reviewed to help inform our final proposed changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan.
- In August 2022, you can make a submission on the publicly notified plan change so that your views are considered during the statutory decision-making process. We must publicly notify the plan change by 20 August 2022.
- Once the submissions process has closed, an Independent Hearings Panel (IHP) will consider all submissions and hear directly from people who submitted. They will then make recommendations to us on the necessary changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan.
- We must then decide to accept or reject the IHP recommendations. If a recommendation is rejected, the Minister for the Environment makes the final decision.
- This statutory process does not allow for appeals to the Environment Court.
This consultation closed on 9 May 2022. Thank you for having your say.
We sought feedback on the proposed changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan that we have scope to make limited decisions on. We did not seek feedback on the mandatory changes the Government has directed us to make, such as having walkable catchments or six-storey building heights. See the Government’s new housing rules: What it means for Auckland Consultation Document for detailed information.
We received 7,860 pieces of feedback. These came via our online feedback forms, at virtual Have Your Say events and through email.
We also held 4 online and 2 in-person information sessions where members of the public could hear from the planning team and ask questions before providing feedback.
To view a detailed summary of the consultation feedback read the Summary of Feedback Report.
If you have any questions related to this project, please email us at unitaryplan@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
For more information about central government's requirements click here.
What happens next
- All feedback will be reviewed to help inform our final proposed changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan.
- In August 2022, you can make a submission on the publicly notified plan change so that your views are considered during the statutory decision-making process. We must publicly notify the plan change by 20 August 2022.
- Once the submissions process has closed, an Independent Hearings Panel (IHP) will consider all submissions and hear directly from people who submitted. They will then make recommendations to us on the necessary changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan.
- We must then decide to accept or reject the IHP recommendations. If a recommendation is rejected, the Minister for the Environment makes the final decision.
- This statutory process does not allow for appeals to the Environment Court.
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Government's new housing rules: what it means for Auckland
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkChanging the way Auckland grows
Over the past few years, central government has taken a much stronger role in planning for the growth of New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing cities.
This means new rules enabling more higher-density housing.
The government’s changes will enable higher-density housing, such as apartments and townhouses, across our city including in areas close to public transport and urban centres with shops, jobs and community services.
Understanding the new rulesThere are two significant central government planning reforms that we are required to implement.
- The National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) was introduced in August 2020. For Tāmaki Makaurau, it requires us to enable greater housing density – with buildings of six storeys or more within walkable distances to our city centre, our ten metropolitan centres, and rapid transit stops (train stations and rapid busway stops). Greater building heights and density is also required within and around neighbourhood, local and town centres across Auckland.
- The government’s Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) allow three homes of up to three storeys to be built on most residential sites without a resource consent. The MDRS changes are part of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021. The law requires us to enable a greater supply of housing. The Act also requires us to replace our design rules for developments, including height-to-boundary ratios and outdoor space provisions.
What these changes could mean for our cityWhile the NPS-UD focuses on housing of six storeys or more in and around our largest urban centres and rapid transit stops, the MDRS enables medium density housing (up to three storeys) to be built on most residential sites across the city.
The requirements from the MDRS and NPS-UD combined will mean much of Auckland’s urban area will enable medium and high density housing and there will be changes to the rules for how properties can be developed (land zoning).
Implementing the new rulesThe changes set out in the NPS-UD and the MDRS are not optional. By law, we must change the Auckland Unitary Plan (our planning rulebook) to put these new rules in place.
However, the NPS-UD allows us to make some limited decisions to help shape the future of our city.
We can decide:
- The distances of walkable catchments where buildings of six storeys or more are required. These are the areas around the city centre, rapid transit stops, and the ten metropolitan centres (Albany, Takapuna, Westgate, Henderson, New Lynn, Newmarket, Sylvia Park, Manukau, Botany and Papakura).
- The building heights and density to enable within and next to other suburban centres – neighbourhoods centres, local centres, and town centres.
- The “qualifying matters” that will apply in Auckland, or the characteristics within some areas that may allow the council to modify (or limit) required building heights and density. Qualifying matters may include such reasons as protecting special character and public open space.
Central government has already identified a number of qualifying matters. The council is also allowed to include other ‘qualifying matters’ that are important for our city.
Project Timeline
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Tuesday 19 April - Monday 9 May 2022
Government’s new housing rules: what it means for Auckland has finished this stageHave your say on our preliminary response to the NPS-UD and the Act.
View the draft planning maps. -
May 2022 - July 2022
Government’s new housing rules: what it means for Auckland is currently at this stageYour feedback will be reviewed and will help inform our final proposed changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan. A summary of the feedback will be made available.
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18 August - late 2022/early 2023
this is an upcoming stage for Government’s new housing rules: what it means for AucklandPublic notification of the plan change. Actual closing dates yet to be confirmed.
Make a submission on the publicly notified plan change, so that your views are considered during the statutory decision-making process. -
2023/2024
this is an upcoming stage for Government’s new housing rules: what it means for AucklandAn independent Hearings Panel (IHP) will consider all submissions and hear directly from people who submitted. The IHP will then make recommendations to us on the necessary changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan by early 2024. If the council doesn't accept particular recommendations, they go to the Minister for the Environment for a final decision.
Written Feedback
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Albert-Eden Local Board Written Feedback
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Albert-Eden Written Feedback Vol 1.pdf (6.29 MB) (pdf)
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Albert-Eden Written Feedback Vol 2.pdf (3.73 MB) (pdf)
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Albert-Eden Written Feedback Vol 3.pdf (8 MB) (pdf)
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Albert-Eden Written Feedback Vol 4.pdf (9.43 MB) (pdf)
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Albert-Eden Written Feedback Vol 5.pdf (10.2 MB) (pdf)
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Albert-Eden Written Feedback Vol 6.pdf (13.5 MB) (pdf)
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Aotea Great Barrier Local Board Written Feedback
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Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Written Feedback
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Franklin Local Board Written Feedback
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Henderson-Massey Local Board Written Feedback
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Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Written Feedback
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Hibiscus and Bays Written Feedback Vol 1.pdf (2.59 MB) (pdf)
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Hibiscus and Bays Written Feedback Vol 2.pdf (882 KB) (pdf)
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Hibiscus and Bays Written Feedback Vol 3.pdf (8.13 MB) (pdf)
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Hibiscus and Bays Written Feedback Vol 4.pdf (7.53 MB) (pdf)
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Hibiscus and Bays Written Feedback Vol 5.pdf (9.81 MB) (pdf)
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Howick Local Board Written Feedback
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Kaipatiki Local Board Written Feedback
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Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board Written Feedback
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Manurewa Local Board Written Feedback
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Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board Written Feedback
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Orakei Local Board Written Feedback
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Orakei Written Feedback Vol 1.pdf (6.8 MB) (pdf)
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Orakei Written Feedback Vol 2.pdf (8.96 MB) (pdf)
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Orakei Written Feedback Vol 3.pdf (3.64 MB) (pdf)
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Orakei Written Feedback Vol 4.pdf (5.6 MB) (pdf)
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Orakei Written Feedback Vol 5.pdf (5.81 MB) (pdf)
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Orakei Written Feedback Vol 6.pdf (9.51 MB) (pdf)
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Orakei Written Feedback Vol 7.pdf (6.57 MB) (pdf)
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Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Written Feedback
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Papakura Local Board Written Feedback
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Puketapapa Local Board Written Feedback
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Rodney Local Board Written Feedback
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Upper Harbour Local Board Written Feedback
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Waiheke Local Board Written Feedback
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Waitakere Ranges Local Board Written Feedback
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Waitemata Local Board Written Feedback
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 1.pdf (5.69 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 2.pdf (3.31 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 3.pdf (3.37 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 4.pdf (7.95 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 5.pdf (5.15 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 6.pdf (7.17 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 7.pdf (9.12 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 8.pdf (9.46 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 9.pdf (5.02 MB) (pdf)
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Waitemata Written Feedback Vol 10.pdf (8.74 MB) (pdf)
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Whau Local Board Written Feedback
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Local Board Not Supplied and Outside Auckland Written Feedback
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LB Not Supplied & Outside AKL Written Feedback Vol 1.pdf (6.74 MB) (pdf)
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LB Not Supplied & Outside AKL Written Feedback Vol 2.pdf (13.3 MB) (pdf)
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LB Not Supplied & Outside AKL Written Feedback Vol 3.pdf (11.7 MB) (pdf)
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LB Not Supplied & Outside AKL Written Feedback Vol 4.pdf (15.9 MB) (pdf)
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LB Not Supplied & Outside AKL Written Feedback Vol 5.pdf (14.5 MB) (pdf)
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LB Not Supplied & Outside AKL Written Feedback Vol 6.pdf (7.27 MB) (pdf)
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Late Submissions
GIS Map Viewer
You can view the information on Auckland Council's preliminary response viewer for NPS-UD and MDRS.
View the draft planning maps
Please note: these maps are considered draft and may be amended by the Council from time to time.
View the NPS-UD and MDRS GIS map viewer user guide.
We recommend you view the maps on a laptop and not a mobile device.
Documents
Supporting Information
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Information Sheet #1: Overview of draft changes for intensification (959 KB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #2: Walkable catchments (1.08 MB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #3: Residential intensification in WCs and THAB Zone (1.37 MB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #4: Intensification around suburban centres (1000 KB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #5: Medium Density Residential Standards (1.21 MB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #6: Qualifying matters (Part 1) (962 KB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #7: Qualifying matters (Part 2) (898 KB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #8 The City Centre Zone (879 KB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #9: Special Character Areas (1.11 MB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet #10: NPS-UD GIS map viewer user guide (1.1 MB) (pdf)
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Information Sheet: The National Policy Statement on Urban Development and the Auckland Light Rail corridor (523 KB) (pdf)
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Residential Survey Guidance July 2021 (739 KB) (pdf)
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SCA Business Survey Guidance (6.68 MB) (pdf)
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Guidance for identifying sub-areas of high-quality special character values and/or historic heritage areas February 2022 (853 KB) (pdf)
Special Character Area Assessments - Findings Reports
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Residential Findings Reports
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Avondale Findings Report (942 KB) (pdf)
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Balmoral Findings Report (2.99 MB) (pdf)
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Birkenhead Findings Report (600 KB) (pdf)
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Devonport Findings Report (1.3 MB) (pdf)
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Eden Terrace Findings Report (1.14 MB) (pdf)
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Ellerslie Findings Report (1.89 MB) (pdf)
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Epsom Findings Report (15.7 MB) (pdf)
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Freemans Bay Findings Report (2.23 MB) (pdf)
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Grafton Findings Report (1.13 MB) (pdf)
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Greenlane Findings Reports (3.55 MB) (pdf)
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Grey Lynn and Arch Hill Findings Report (4.13 MB) (pdf)
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Helensville Findings Report (920 KB) (pdf)
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Herne Bay Findings Report (3.55 MB) (pdf)
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Hill Park Findings Report (632 KB) (pdf)
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Kingsland Findings Reports (4.34 MB) (pdf)
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Kohimarama Findings Report (669 KB) (pdf)
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Meadowbank Findings Report (649 KB) (pdf)
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Mission Bay Findings Report (1.76 MB) (pdf)
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Mount Eden Findings Report (6.85 MB) (pdf)
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Narrow Neck Findings Report (938 KB) (pdf)
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Northcote Point Findings Report (611 KB) (pdf)
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Onehunga Findings Report (897 KB) (pdf)
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Otahuhu Findings Report (1.11 MB) (pdf)
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Owairaka Mt Albert Findings Report (2.99 MB) (pdf)
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Papatoetoe Findings Report (681 KB) (pdf)
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Parnell Findings Reports (4.6 MB) (pdf)
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Ponsonby Findings Report (2.86 MB) (pdf)
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Puhoi Findings Report (590 KB) (pdf)
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Remuera Findings Reports (7.04 MB) (pdf)
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Sandringham Findings Report (4.04 MB) (pdf)
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St Heliers Findings Report (855 KB) (pdf)
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St Marys Bay Findings Report (1.25 MB) (pdf)
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Stanley Point Findings Report (1.22 MB) (pdf)
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Three Kings Findings Report (2.59 MB) (pdf)
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Business Findings Reports
Translated Documents
FAQs
- How is central government directing New Zealand’s large cities to grow?
- What does this mean for Auckland?
- What are metropolitan centres?
- Can the council say no to the government’s changes?
- What about protecting areas from more intensification?
- Is there a difference between historic heritage and special character areas?
- What is the council’s approach to residential special character areas?